Bi-directional remote control unit and method of using the same

ABSTRACT

A bi-directional communications link between a television set and a remote control unit assists a viewer in controlling the entertainment system. The television set can signal the remote control unit to confirm instruction signal received from the remote control unit. The television can also transmit electronic program guide information to the remote control unit which is displayed on a display device on the remote control unit. The television can send the remote control unit a listing of available sub-channels within a single digital channel. The listing is displayed on the remote&#39;s display device, and the viewer can then choose from among the sub-channels.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/585,863, filed Sep. 28, 2009, which is a continuation application ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/324,149, filed Dec. 20, 2002, whichis a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/188,255, filed Nov. 9, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,532,592, the entirecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of remote controls fortelevision sets. More particularly, the present invention relates to abi-directional remote control which receives information from atelevision set in addition to sending instructions to the televisionset.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With a conventional television set and remote control unit, the flow ofinformation is one-way only, namely, from the remote control unit to thetelevision. The remote control unit may signal the television set tochange the volume, change the channel being received by the television,etc. In this way, the remote control unit can be used to control thetelevision set. The remote control may also be used to controlperipheral devices such as video cassette recorders, video disk playersand audio equipment connected to the television set.

However, in order to prevent the television for responding incorrectlyto the signals from the remote control unit, the television set istypically programmed not to respond to the remote control unit until thesame instructional signal has been received from the remote control unita predetermined number of times. For example, when the user presses abutton on the remote control unit to change the channel, the remotecontrol unit will automatically signal the television to make theindicated channel change a number of times. When the television receivesthe same command from the remote control redundantly, the televisionpresumes it is correctly receiving the transmission from the remotecontrol unit and executes the instructions received.

This safeguard helps insure that the television has properly understoodand received the signal from the remote control unit and preventsmistakes in controlling the television. However, the requirement thatthe television wait for identical redundant signaling from the remotecontrol unit necessarily slows the response of the television set to theremote control.

Additionally, with the advent of cable television, satellite televisionand digital television broadcasts, the amount of programming from amongwhich a viewer can choose is tremendous. For example, one digitalchannel may carry several different programs, or sub-channels,simultaneously. This proliferation of programming makes it more and moredifficult for a viewer to locate the programming he or she most desiresto see.

While a conventional remote control unit allows the viewer to controlthe television set from across the room, it does not assist the viewerin navigating among the many channels available to find the most desiredprogramming. For example, when tuning a digital channel which carriesseveral sub-channels, the viewer must first select the digital channel.The television will then tune the digital channel. One of thesub-channels will be indicated as the default sub-channel, and thetelevision will display the programming on the default sub-channel.

Thus, the user will then have to indicate whether a differentsub-channel is desired. The user may do this by having the television'son-screen display (OSD) list the sub-channels available from which theuser can select. However, this arrangement raises several problems.

First, the OSD is displayed over the programming on the defaultsub-channel. This obscures the programming on the default sub-channel sothat it cannot readily be observed and evaluated by the user if the userso desires.

Second, the television may not begin to display the programming on thedefault sub-channel until all the sub-channel information has beenacquired. This necessarily delays the acquisition and display of thedefault sub-channel, which may be the only channel in which the vieweris interested.

Consequently, there is a need in the prior art for a remote control unitand television set which can more rapidly and readily execute the user'sinstructions and which can assist the user in navigating among thevariety of available programming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to meet the above-describedneeds and others. Specifically, it is an object of the present inventionto provide a remote control unit and television set which can morerapidly and readily execute the user's instructions and which can assistthe user in navigating among the variety of available programming.

Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention willbe set forth in the description which follows or may be learned by thoseskilled in the art through reading these materials or practicing theinvention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be achievedthrough the means recited in the attached claims.

To achieve these stated and other objects, the present invention may beembodied as an entertainment system including: a remote control unitwith a communications unit having both a transmitter and a receiver; anda television set with another communications unit also having both atransmitter and a receiver. With this arrangement, data signals can besent and received by both the remote control unit and the television.

This allows improved interaction between the television and the remotecontrol unit. For example, preferably the television set sends aconfirmation signal to the remote control unit when a valid instructionsignal is received by the television set from the remote control unit.Alternatively, the television set sends an error signal to the remotecontrol unit when an invalid instruction signal is received by thetelevision set from the remote control unit.

The television set may also send a prompt signal to the remote controlunit when an instruction signal received by the television set from theremote control unit requires additional input in order to execute theinstruction represented by the instruction signal. For example, theinstruction may be an instruction for the television set to tune adigital channel having a plurality of sub-channels; and the promptsignal may include a listing of the plurality of sub-channels from whichthe viewer can choose.

Preferably, the remote control unit further comprises a display device.If a display device is provided on the remote control unit, the listingof the plurality of sub-channels in the foregoing example may bedisplayed on the display device. With a display device, the televisionmay also transmit electronic program guide information to the remotecontrol unit which the remote control unit displays on the displaydevice.

When a peripheral device is connected to the television set, thetelevision set may transmit a set of commands for the peripheral deviceto the remote control unit so that the remote control unit can transmitcommand signals to the peripheral device through the television set.Additionally, the television set may send a delete signal to the remotecontrol unit to delete the set of commands when the peripheral device isdisconnected from the television set.

The present invention also encompasses the method inherent in using theentertainment system described above. Specifically, a method of thepresent invention includes transmitting data signals which are both sentand received by both a remote control unit and a television set.

The method steps for enhanced communication between the television setand the remote control unit include sending a confirmation signal to theremote control unit from the television set when a valid instructionsignal is received by the television set from the remote control unit;sending an error signal to the remote control unit from the televisionset when an invalid instruction signal is received by the television setfrom the remote control unit; and sending a prompt signal to the remotecontrol unit from the television set when an instruction signal receivedby the television set from the remote control unit requires additionalinput in order to execute an instruction represented by the instructionsignal.

If the remote control unit includes a display device, the method of thepresent invention includes displaying data on a display of the remotecontrol unit if the television set has access to electronic programguide information, the method of the present invention may includetransmitting electronic program guide information from the televisionset to the remote control unit, and displaying the electronic programguide information on the display of the remote control unit.

Finally, when a peripheral device is connected to the television set,the method of the present invention includes the step of transmitting aset of commands for the peripheral device to the remote control unitfrom the television set so that the remote control unit can transmitcommand signals to the peripheral device through the television set.When the peripheral device is disconnected from the television set, themethod of the present invention includes the step of sending a deletesignal to the remote control unit from the television set to delete theset of commands.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention and are apart of the specification. Together with the following description, thedrawings demonstrate and explain the principles of the presentinvention.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a remote control unit and television setaccording to the principles of the present invention.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are an illustration of a remote control unit tuningassisting a viewer in tuning a digital sub-channel according to theprinciples of the present invention.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are an illustration of a remote control unit according tothe principles of the present invention acquiring instructions from anew system component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Using the drawings, the preferred embodiments of the present inventionwill now be explained. As show in FIG. 1, the present invention includesa remote control unit 100 and a television set 101. The communicationslink 102 between the remote control unit 100 and the television set 101is two-way.

The remote control unit 100 has a plurality of keys or buttons 104 withwhich a user can enter instructions to be sent to the television set101. Additionally, the remote control unit 100 has a display 103, forexample, a liquid crystal display, on which data and informationreceived from the television or input using the keypad 104 can bedisplayed. The communications unit 107 of the remote control unit 100includes a transmitter and a receiver for both sending and receivingdata signals from the television set 101.

The television 101 is equipped with a similar communications unit 106which includes both a receiver and a transmitter for receiving signalsfrom the remote control unit 100 and transmitting signals to the remotecontrol unit. The signaling between the television 101 and the remotecontrol unit 100 may be any appropriate type of signaling. For example,infra-red (IR), radio-frequency (RF), ultra-sonic signaling, orcombinations thereof are all acceptable and equivalent methods oftransmitting data between the television 101 and the remote control 100.

With a two-way communications link between the television set 101 andthe remote control 100, many of the problems with the prior artdescribed above can be eliminated or decreased. For example, as notedabove, a conventional remote control will automatically transmit aninstruction to the television set a number of times so that thetelevision can be reasonably assured of accurately receiving themessage. With the two-way system of the present invention, the remotecontrol unit 100 need only signal the television set 101 once. The set101 can then signal the remote control as to the instruction received.

If the television 101 receives what appears to be a valid command fromthe remote control unit 100, the television can send a confirmationsignal confirming receipt of the command and then execute the command.If the television 101 receives an invalid command, it can signal theremote control unit 100 with an error signal. The remote control unit100 then responds by re-transmitting the command.

In this way, the remote control unit 100 need no longer automaticallytransmit the same command a number of times in order to insure accuratereception by the television. The result is a system which responds morereadily and rapidly to the user's input.

The remote control unit 100 of the present invention can also assist aviewer in navigating among the wide variety of available programming.For example, electronic program guides which are displayed on aparticular channel are common in cable and satellite systems as a methodof informing viewers as to what programming is being shown.

However, such an electronic program guide may be difficult for someviewers to read if the television set is located at some distance, e.g.,across a room. Moreover, a channel must be dedicated to the electronicprogram guide and cannot then be used for any other programming.

Under the principles of the present invention, the television set 101can transmit the electronic program guide information to the remotecontrol unit 100. The remote control unit 100 then displays the programguide information on the display 103. In this way, a viewer who may havetrouble reading a program guide on the television screen can easily readthe information on the remote control unit 100. Moreover, no channelneed be used for an electronic programming guide, thereby allowing moreactual programming to be shown.

The present invention can assist a viewer in navigating among theavailable programming in other ways as well. For example, when the userinputs a particular instruction which requires further input such aswhen the user selects a digital channel having several sub-channels tochoose from, the television 101 can signal the remote control unit 100with a prompt signal to request that the user input additional data. Theremote control unit 100 can use the display 103 to indicate the need foradditional data. Consequently, an OSD which obscures the picture on thetelevision set 101 is unnecessary.

An example of this feature of the present invention is illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3. In FIG. 2, the user inputs a request through keypad 104that the television set 101 tune a digital channel, e.g. Channel 13. Therequested channel may be printed on the display 103 as shown in FIG. 2so that the user can verify that he or she correctly input theinstruction intended.

The instruction to tune digital channel 13 is then transmitted to thetelevision 101. The television 101 will then signal the remote controlunit 100 that channel 13 is a digital channel and request that the userfurther indicate the desired sub-channel to be acquired.

In the example of FIG. 3, digital channel 13 comprises four sub-channels(13-0 to 13-3) which can be selected. The user can then indicate thedesired sub-channel using keypad 104. The remote control unit 100 thensignals the television set 101 to acquire the appropriate sub-channel.This arrangement allows the television set 101 to display theprogramming on the default sub-channel without waiting for the data fromall available sub-channels to be acquired. The potential use of thesub-channels is handled separately through the display 103 on the remote100.

Finally, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the two-way link betweentelevision and remote under the principles of the present invention canbe used to assist in integrating new components into the televisionentertainment system. In the example shown in FIG. 4, a mini-disk player(MDP) (not shown) has been added to the entertainment system as aperipheral device.

Once connected to the television 101 of the present invention, the MDPwill send its command set information to the television 101. Thetelevision will then transmit the command set to the remote control unit100. As shown in FIG. 4, the display 103 of the remote 100 may print amessage indicating that a new command set is being acquired for the MDP.

Once the command set is transmitted to the remote 100, the display 103may provide a list of the available commands for the peripheral device,e.g., a MDP. As shown in FIG. 5, the MDP has available commandsincluding: fast forward (FF), rewind (Rew), record (Rec), display, stop,play and pause.

In this way, when a new peripheral device is added to the entertainmentsystem comprising the television 101, the remote control 100 isautomatically upgraded to control the new peripheral device. In thepreferred embodiment, the user need only move a cursor over thedisplayed list of commands shown in FIG. 5 and select the desiredcommand for the indicated peripheral device.

Additionally, when a device is removed from the system and disconnectedfrom the television set 101, the television 101 can signal the remote100 with a delete signal so that the command set for that peripheralstored in the remote 100, if any, is deleted. In this manner, the remote100 and television set 101 can coordinate control of the entertainmentsystem.

The preceding description has been presented only to illustrate anddescribe the invention. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limitthe invention to any precise form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations are possible in light of the above teaching.

The preferred-embodiment was chosen and described in order to bestexplain the principles of the invention and its practical application.The preceding description is intended to enable others skilled in theart to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and withvarious modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by thefollowing claims.

1. A remote control unit comprising: a transmitting portion configuredto output additional information after outputting an instruction, aconfirmation signal confirming receipt of said instruction by anexternal source; a receiving portion configured to receive saidconfirmation signal and a prompt signal, said prompt signal being arequest from said external source for said additional information,wherein said instruction is executable by said external source, saidexternal source using said additional information to execute saidinstruction.
 2. The remote control unit of claim 1, wherein saidadditional information is obtainable from a user input.
 3. The remotecontrol unit of claim 1, wherein said instruction is user enterableusing keys or buttons.
 4. The remote control unit of claim 1, furthercomprising: a display configured to display viewable information, saidreceiving portion being configured to receive said viewable informationfrom said external source.
 5. The remote control unit of claim 4,wherein said viewable information is said request.
 6. The remote controlunit of claim 4, wherein said viewable information is program guideinformation, said program guide information being a menu of programming.7. The remote control unit of claim 4, wherein said instruction isviewable on said display.
 8. The remote control unit of claim 4, whereinsaid viewable information is a list of sub-channels.
 9. The remotecontrol unit of claim 8, wherein a sub-channel from said list ofsub-channels is user selectable.
 10. The remote control unit of claim 8,wherein said prompt signal comprises said list of the sub-channels. 11.The remote control unit of claim 8, wherein said sub-channels are withina digital channel.
 12. The remote control unit of claim 11, wherein thechannel number of said digital channel is viewable on said display. 13.The remote control unit of claim 11, wherein said instruction commandssaid external source to tune said digital channel.
 14. The externalsource of claim 1, wherein said external source is configured to outputsaid confirmation signal and execute said instruction.
 15. The externalsource of claim 14, wherein said external source is configured to outputan error signal when said instruction is an invalid instruction signal,said external source being configured to output said confirmation signalwhen said instruction is a valid instruction signal.
 16. A peripheraldevice connectable to the external source of claim 14, wherein a set ofcommands for the peripheral device is transmissible from said externalsource to said remote control unit so that the remote control unit cantransmit command signals to said peripheral device.
 17. The peripheraldevice of claim 16, wherein command signals are transmissible from saidremote control unit to said peripheral device.
 18. The peripheral deviceof claim 17, wherein said command signals are transmissible through saidthe external source.
 19. The peripheral device of claim 17, wherein saidexternal source is configured to send a delete signal to said remotecontrol unit when said peripheral device is disconnected from saidexternal source.
 20. The peripheral device of claim 19, wherein saiddelete signal dictates a removal of said set of commands from saidremote control unit.